One of the best things about going on a road trip is enjoying the scenery along the way – the winding roads through hills, green padi fields or coastal views that unfold as you drive.
If you are planning a weekend drive, here are a few destinations in Malaysia to consider.
Cameron Highlands (Pahang)
Rolling hills, cool weather and plenty of greenery make the drive up to Cameron Highlands a scenic experience.
Make a pit stop at one of the tea plantations and admire the lushness of the vegetation around you. You can also drop by the local markets and farms for fresh vegetables and other produce.
Here, you will likely see shoppers picking up vegetables grown in the highlands.
If you want to get a little more active, there are also hiking trails ranging from shorter walks to more challenging routes. Among them are the numbered Trail 4, Trail 6 and Trail 10.
Kuala Kubu Baru (Selangor)
About 60km from Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Kubu Baru makes a great weekend getaway for folks living in the Klang Valley, especially if you are looking for something that’s vastly different from the city life.
The town is surrounded by forests, so you will find plenty of adrenaline-pumping activities to get your heart racing.
Imagine conquering the roaring rapids along Sungai Selangor on a white-water rafting experience or gliding through the skies at KKB Paragliding Park.
But if you prefer something more leisurely, you can spend some time birdwatching in the area or head to KKB Bridge Lookout Point at night for stargazing.
Perlis
Peninsular Malaysia’s northernmost state may be small, but there is plenty to explore there.
Perlis is also an “adventure town”, meaning there are many opportunities for fun activities like rock climbing and caving.
The drive itself is part of the experience, with vast padi fields dotting the landscape. And if you need a coffee break, Perlis’ growing cafe culture means there are lots of spots to stop and recharge along the way, too.
Kupi Kahfi, for example, is located inside a cave, while Rhuang at Pantai Pulau Ketam is a lovely seaside cafe.
Desaru (Johor)
Set your navigation towards Desaru in Johor’s Bandar Penawar if some “vitamin sea” therapy is what you want.
The place is popular with families during the school holidays, and with other travellers on those warm, sunny seasons.
The Desaru Coast integrated resort destination is a big part of the area, comprising four luxury resorts, a luxury golf club and the Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast.
The Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal is located nearby, and you can get on the ferry to Singapore from there (although you would have to leave your vehicle at Desaru as the ferries only carry foot passengers).
Kundasang (Sabah)
Sabah may not be the first place that comes to mind for a weekend road trip, but once you fly into Kota Kinabalu, you can rent a car and continue the journey by road.
The drive to Kundasang from KK takes about two hours, depending on traffic.
The route winds through hilly terrain, with stretches of narrow roads but there’s lots of nice scenery along the way.
The drive can be challenging for some people at times – especially if you’re not used to driving a 4WD (the best option for these kinds of roads) – but what’s a road trip without a little challenge, right?
Once in Kundasang, the star of the place is none other than Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia’s highest mountain.
But there are also interesting places to visit like the Desa Dairy Farm, Kinabalu Park, Sabah Tea Resort and the tamu (market).
